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Scots' chance of long life is worst in Europe

SCOTLAND has slumped to the foot of a European league table for life expectancy, according to the most authoritative study of the nation’s health.

While Scots now live longer than they did 50 years ago, their life expectancy is lower than almost every other country in Europe, according to the report by the Public Health Institute of Scotland (PHIS).

Since 1950 men’s life expectancy has risen from 64 years to almost 73 years and for women from almost 69 years to 78 years. However, during that time Scotland has fallen behind countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Austria.

Fifty years ago Scotland ranked 10th out of 17 countries in western Europe. Now Scottish women are at the foot of the European league table for life expectancy. Men are second bottom, just above Portugal.

The report reveals that poverty alone is not to blame for the country’s high levels of